I am originally from Illinois and moved to Nebraska to pursue my Master’s Degree in Biology Education. I have experience as an adjunct at Southeast Community College teaching science labs, and I am looking forward to being a student again myself!

Research Interests

My previous work has explored student access to online assignments, students' senses of belonging in the classroom, and the ways that undergraduate students use the internet for educational purposes.

I am pursuing a doctoral degree to better understand how to effectively incorporate technology into biology curriculum as the need for online education grows.

Publications & Conference Presentations

Publications:
Upchurch, A. M., Kirkwood-Watts, D. L., Brazeal, K. R., Wheeler, L. A., Couch, B. A., Johnson, G. B., & Spier, S. K. (2022). Access to Online Formative Assessments in Lower-Division Undergraduate Biology Courses: Investigating Barriers to Student Engagement. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 21(4), ar80. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.22-05-0098

Kirkwood-Watts, D.L., Upchurch, A.M., Spier, S.K., Johnson, G.B., Wheeler, L.A., Brazeal, K.R., Couch, B.A. (In preparation). Search Strategies: Information Seeking Behaviors of Undergraduate Biology Students

Aranda, M. L., Diaz, M., Mena, L. G., Ortiz, J. I., Rivera-Nolan, C., Sanchez, D. C., Sanchez, M. J., Upchurch, A. M., Williams, C. S., Boorstin, S. N., Cardoso, L. M., Dominguez, M., Elias, S., Lopez, E. E., Ramirez, R. E., Romero, P. J., Tigress, F. N., Wilson, J. A., Winstead, R., … Tanner, K. D. (2021). Student-Authored Scientist Spotlights: Investigating the Impacts of Engaging Undergraduates as Developers of Inclusive Curriculum through a Service-Learning Course. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 20(4), ar55. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.21-03-0060

Presentations:
SABER Annual Conference, July 2021
Presenter, "Barriers to Online Formative Assessments in Introductory Biology Courses"

Master's Thesis Defense: Access to online formative assessments in introductory biology courses: Investigating barriers to student engagement
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, August 2022

Barriers to Online Formative Assessments in Undergraduate Biology Courses
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Graduate Seminar, October 2021 and April 2021

Barriers to Online Formative Assessments in Undergraduate Biology Courses
University of Nebraska-Lincoln STEM Education Seminar, April 2021